The NBA is all set for a return on July 30 as 22 teams will head down to Disney World in Orland to complete the season in a bubble. So, with that comes the excitement of the NBA Playoffs and to see where the Philadelphia 76ers will end up after their big offseason.
With that, comes predictions as everybody tries to see what they can come up with for playoff results. Bleacher Report put together their own prediction and they have a familiar finish for Sixers fans for their team.
They predict Philadelphia will win enough of their final eight games that they will move up to the 5 seed in the Eastern Conference and take on Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat at the 4 seed. They believe Philadelphia will eke out a series win in 7 games. B/R on the series:
Two of the slower, more physical teams in the NBA, the Heat and Sixers will play the most entertaining first-round series of all.
Both teams were terrific at home this season and well below .500 on the road, so playing at a neutral site will ensure the best team will win.
The Sixers have the better overall roster, and Ben Simmons looks to have put on significant muscle the past few months. Joel Embiid could be a tough cover for the 6’9″ Bam Adebayo, and Al Horford brings the experience of 11 prior playoff trips despite his disappointing season.
Jimmy Butler should do his best to get into the heads of Simmons and Embiid, reminding them who carried the Sixers in the playoffs last year. While Miami could be considered the favorites, Philly is built for the postseason with its big, physical, slow-it-down style of play.
Result: Sixers in 7
Now, that Philadelphia is in Round 2, the team is one step closer to their goal of an NBA title. However, their Round 2 opponent comes in the form of Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. B/R has Milwaukee coming out on top in that series in 6 games as they believe:
Unlike most teams, the 76ers may have the individual defenders to slow down Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Joel Embiid, Al Horford and even Ben Simmons can take turns guarding the reigning MVP, and Antetokounmpo shot just 47.8 percent overall and 15.8 percent on three-pointers in three games against Philly this year.
The Sixers need to turn this into a slugfest, forcing the Bucks to create offense in the half court while bullying them with Embiid on the offensive end. Milwaukee had the fastest pace of any NBA team this season (105.36), while Philly ranked 19th (99.36).
The Bucks can smother the Sixers on the three-point line with Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, George Hill and Eric Bledsoe, making points difficult for an already offensively challenged team.
The Sixers represent a far more difficult challenge than the Nets, but the Bucks are too good to bow out yet.
Result: Bucks in 6
If this is to be the result that happens when the games begin in July, then consider coach Brett Brown gone. It would also bring up a lot of questions surrounding the Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid star tandem and whether they can co-exist together. This is going to be one interesting playoff run for Philadelphia. [lawrence-related id=32972,32965,32959]